MANNER IN WHICH THE FATHERS MUST CONDUCT THEMSELVES PART III

BANK of WISDOM

Box 926, Louisville, KY 40201

9

Secret Instructions of the Society of Jesus

CHAPTER II.

THE MANNER WITH WHICH THE FATHERS OF THE ORDER

MUST CONDUCT THEMSELVES TO ACQUIRE AND PRESERVE

THE FAMILIARITY OF PRINCES, MAGNATES AND POWERFUL

AND RICH PERSONS.

1. It is necessary to do all that is possible to gain completely the attentions and affections of princes and persons of
the most consideration; for that, who, being on the outside, but in advance, all of them will be constituted our defenders.

2. As we have learned by experience that princes and potentates are generally inclined to the favor of the
ecclesiastics, when these disseminate their odious actions, and when they give an interpretation that they favor, as is to
be noted among the married, contract with their relations or allies; or in other similar things; assembling much with them,
to animate those who may be found in this case, saying to them that we confide in the assurance of the exemptions,
that by intervention of us fathers, which the Pope will concede, if he is made to see the causes, and will present other
examples of similar things, exhibiting at the same time the sentiments that we favor, under the pretext of the common
good and THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD that is the object of the Society.

3. If at this same assembly the prince treats of doing something, that will not be agreeable to all the great men, for
which we are to stir up and investigate, meanwhile, counseling others to conform with the prince, without ever
descending to treat of particulars, for fear there may not be a successful issue of the matter, for which the Society will
be imputed blame; and for this, if this action shall be disapproved, there will be advertences presented to the contrary
that may be absolutely prohibited and put in jeopardy, the authority of some of the fathers, of whom it can be said with
certainty, that they have not had notice of the Secret Instructions; for that, it can be affirmed with an oath, that the
calumny to the Society, is not true in respect to that which is imputed to it.

4. To gain the good will of Princes, it will be very convenient to insinuate with skill; and for third persons, that we
fathers, are a means to discharge honorable and favorable duties in the courts of other kings and princes, and more
than any one else in that of the Pope. By this means we can recommend ourselves and the Society; for the same, no
one must be charged with this commission but the most zealous persons and well versed in our institute.

5. Aiming especially to bring over the will of the favorites of princes and of their servants, by means of presents and
pious offices, that they may give faithful notice to us fathers of the character and inclinations of the princes and great
men. Of this manner the Society can gain with facility as much to one as to others.









BANK of WISDOM

Box 926, Louisville, KY 40201

10

Secret Instructions of the Society of Jesus

6. The experience we have had, has made us acquainted with the many advantages that have been taken by the
Society of its intervention in the marriages of the House of Austria, and of those which have been effected in other
kingdoms, France, Poland, and in various duchies. Forasmuch assembling, proposing with prudence, selecting choice
persons who may be friends and families of the relatives, and of the friends of the Society.

7. It will be easy to gain the princesses, making use of their valets; by that, coming to feed and nourish with relations
of friendship, by being located at the entrance in all parts, and thus become acquainted with the most intimate secrets
of the familiars.

8. In regard to the direction of the consciences of great men, we confessors must follow the writers who concede the
greater liberty of conscience. The contrary of this is to appear too religious; for that they will decide to leave others and
submit entirely to our direction and counsels.

9. It is necessary to make reference to all the merits of the

Society; to the princes and prelates, and to as many as can lend much aid to the Society, after having shown the
transcendence of its great privileges.

10. Also, it will be useful to demonstrate, with prudence and skill, such ample power which the Society has, to
absolve, even in the reserved cases, compared with that of other pastors and priests; also, that of dispensing with the
fasts, and of the rights which they must ask and pay, in the impediments of marriage, by which means many persons will
recur to us, whom it will be our duty to make agreeable.

11. It is not the less useful to invite them to our sermons, assemblies, harangues, declamations, etc., composing
odes in their honor, dedicating literary works or conclusions; and if we can for the future, give dinners and greetings of
divers modes.

12. It will be very convenient to take to our care the reconciliation of the great, in the quarrels and enmities that
divide them; then by this method we can enter, little by little, into the acquaintance of their most intimate friends and
secrets; and we can serve ourselves to that party which will be most in favor of that which we present.

13. If there should be some one at the service of a monarch or prince, and he were an enemy of our Society, it is
necessary to procure well for ourselves better than for others, making him a friend, employing promises, favors, and
advances, which shall be in proportion to the same monarch or prince.

14. No one shall recommend to a prince any one, nor make advances to any who have gone out from us, being
outside of our Society, and in particular to those who voluntarily verified, for yet when they dissimulate they will always
maintain an inextinguishable hatred to the Society.









BANK of WISDOM

Box 926, Louisville, KY 40201

11

Secret Instructions of the Society of Jesus

In fine, each one must procure and search for methods to increase the affection and favor of princes, of the powerful,
and of the magistrates of each population, that whenever occasion is offered to support, we can do much with efficacy
and good faith, in benefiting ourselves, though contrary to their relations, allies and friends.

CHAPTER III.

HOW THE SOCIETY MUST BE CONDUCTED WITH THE GREAT

AUTHORITIES IN THE STATE, AND IN CASE THEY ARE NOT

RICH WE MUST LEND OURSELVES TO OTHERS.

1. The care consigned to us, that we must do all that is possible, for to conquer the great; but it is also necessary to
gain their favor to combat our enemies.

2. It is very conducive to value their authority, prudence and counsels, and induce them to despise wealth, at the
same time that we procure gain and employ those that can redeem the Society; tacitly valuing their names, for
acquisition of temporal goods if they inspire sufficient confidence.

3. It is also necessary to employ the ascendant of the powerful, to temper the malevolence of the persons of a lower
sphere and of the rabble against our Society.

4. It is necessary to utilize, whenever we can, the bishops, prelates and other superior ecclesiastics, according to the
diversity of reason, and the inclination we manifest.

5. In some points it will be sufficient to obtain of the prelates and curates, that which it is possible to do, that their
subjects respect the society; and that obstructing the exercise of its functions among those who have the greatest
power, as in Germany, Poland, etc. It will be necessary to exhibit the most distinguished attentions for that, mediating its
authority and that of the princes, monasteries, parishes, priorates, patronates, the foundations of the churches and the
pious places, can come to our power. Because we can with more facility where the Catholics will be found mixed with
heretics. It is necessary to make such prelates see the utility and merit that we have in all this, and that never will they
have so much valuation from the priests, friars, and for the future from the faithful. If making these changes, it is
necessary to publicly praise their zeal, although written, and to perpetuate the memory of their actions.

6. For this it is necessary to labor, to the end, that the prelates will place in the hands of us fathers, as confessors
and counselors; and if they aspire to more elevated positions in the Court of Rome, we must unite in their favor and aid
their pretensions with all our forces, and by means of our influence.

7. We must be watchful that when the bishops are instituting principal colleges and parochial churches, that the
faculties are taken from the Society, and placed in both vicarious establishments, with the charge of cures, and that the
Superior of



BANK of WISDOM

Box 926, Louisville, KY 40201

12

Secret Instructions of the Society of Jesus

the Society to be, that all the government of these churches shall pertain to us, and that the parishioners shall be our
subjects, of the method that all can be placed in them.

8. Where there are those of the academies who have been driven out from us, and are contrary; where the
Catholics or the heretics obstruct our installation, we will compound with the prelates, and make ourselves the owners of
the first cathedrals; for thus shall we make them to know the necessities of the Society.

9. Over all, we must be very certain to procure the protection and affection of the prelates of the Church, for the
cases of beatification or canonization of ourselves; in whose subjects convened further, to obtain letters from the
powerful and of the princes, that the decisions may be promptly attained in the Catholic Court.

10. If it shall be accounted that the prelates or magnates should send commissioned representatives, we must put
forth all ardor, that no other priests, who are in dispute with us, shall be sent; for the reason, that they shall not
communicate their animadversion, discrediting us in the cities and provinces we inhabit; and that if they pass by other
provinces and cities, where there are colleges, they will be received with affection and kindness, and be so splendidly
treated as a religious modesty will permit.